Out of Champions League. Lippi Returns with some insight!

April 13th, 2011 | by: Marco | Comments Off

All good things must come to an end. In this case, the dreaded draw against the mighty European uber club, Schalke has come to a tragic but certain conclusion. 7-3 on aggregate simply demonstrates the distinction between Schalke’s might and Inter’s slumber. The second leg was a boring affair full of little intrigue and surprise. As Inter is the last Italian club currently enrolled in this years edition of Champions League, there was a part of me that hoped for a historic upset. A turn of the tides comparable to the Biblical episode of Moses parting the Sea.  We’ll just have to wait a little longer to see Biblical episodes unfold on the pitch I guess.

Deliberate it may have been, but Inter quite frankly didn’t look to be at all interested in salvaging their respect on this night. Despite holding most of the possession, their game lacked the conviction and courage worthy of a David v. Goliath battle. In the end, they came up a long way from short and reminded me of Old Yeller pleading to be put out to pasture.

Inter demonstrated what I think we’ve come to witness from all of the Italian teams during their 2010-2011 European campaign – little passion, lots of talent, marginal results. I’m reminded when Sampdoria played  Werder Bremen in the preliminary playoff stages at the start of the season. They took the aggregate advantage over the German club; only to have them celebrate like they won the cup; Cassano roll around in pain and then celebrate while he was substituted. We all know how those 5-10 minutes of showmanship ended don’t we.  At no point this year did any of our teams look like they wanted to win a European Trophy. In what was likely our most important year all of our teams took their eyes off the pitch and decided to partake in theatrics. Fortunately, that demonstration of egocentric tendencies has given us one of the most interesting and hotly contested domestic championships in recent time.

Hopefully our 2011-2012 campaign will begin and end with some respectable performances.

Marcello Lippi’s Return.

Not quite a return to the manager’s post of a club mind you; but simply a return to the media spotlight. As it turns out, Mr. Lippi has been making the rounds and voicing his impressions from the Azzurri to the chase for the Serie A crown. (There is a great write-up at the Juventus Offside pertaining to his Birthday celebrations).

On his Azzurri Reign: “I often think back to the World Cup in South Africa. I’ve had lots of wonderful moments in my career but there have also been some negative ones; that’s normal. In Italy we have shown we are capable of building very strong teams, such as the one in 2006. That team won the World Cup in extremely difficult circumstances. It’s a shame about 2010; we gave a poor showing of ourselves.”

On Prandelli’s Azzurri “After that World Cup the team was always going to need freshening up, even if we had done well,” continued Lippi. “I’m not at all surprised by the work Prandelli has done. He has the difficult task of building a new group capable of doing well at Euro 2012 and at the 2014 World Cup. Yet he has to find players who are plying their trade at the smaller clubs, because there are so many foreigners at the biggest clubs nowadays, and the problem is their lack of international experience.” Nonetheless, the ex-Italy coach remains confident: “The current group are doing well. It reminds me of the group that went into the World Cup in Germany: back then there was the same conviction and enthusiasm I see now.”

One acronym comes to mind… “WTF!” Yes, I’ve said it. Did he really need a Confederations Cup and WORLD CUP catastrophe in the span of 2 years and Prandelli to take over and build something respectable to realize  there is talent in Italy. Lippi does state the obvious; Prandelli needs to search deeper and deeper down the standings to find Azzurri talents, that’s a given. The funny thing is Udinese and Juventus weren’t top tear teams in the 2009-2010 season either; yet he managed to select from them a number of the Azzurri’s starting lineup. Now for those of you who don’t know; Lippi and I have been feuding for two and a half years now. Back at the conclusion of Donadoni’s dismal tenure, I clamoured this very forum to advocate for the return of my cigar chomping Juventus hero! Unfortunately his return was marked with a continued slide in the Azzurri’s performances, culminating to a disaster in South Africa.

Well, I am now here to say that I will put to rest after two and a half years my bitterness towards Marcello Lippi. Once a hero of mine will again take up those ranks. His single minded approach to managing and arrogant presumptions of many of my preferred players during the last two years can now be forgiven. For from his above statement, he has seen the light. He is now born again!

And you thought this was a negative post didn’t you…

#9.

FIFA’S latest rankings have come out recently, and shocking things are beginning to happen for Gli Azzurri. We’re back in the Top 10 baby! Here’s the full list.

1	Spain	1857	0		-23
2	Netherlands	1702	0		-28
3	Brazil	1425	2		14
4	Germany	1386	-1		-100
5	Argentina	1276	-1		-136
6	England	1163	0		-49
7	Uruguay	1094	0		-78
8	Portugal	1052	1		-8
9	Italy	1019	2		62

With shocking the operative word, I must admit I am completely flabbergasted by what I am witnessing in this month’s rankings. Out of the top 9 teams we’ve had the most significant vote increase of any team ahead of us. I know I know, Marco, don’t get ahead of yourself now. But quite honestly, how can you not be excited. I mean, look at those numbers 1019 votes compared to powerhouse Portugal with 1052 and Canada with 439. Remarkable.

Here’s the best part, if we continue at this growth rate – equivalent to the 9% growth of the Chinese economy, we should overtake Uruguay and Portugal next month bringing us within shouting distance of England. By June, dare I say it, we’ll be fourth – the difference a year makes. Yes, one year ago we were 5th overall.